Problem after brake change

[99SilveradoRob]

First of all, I have an 04 Z71 Reg Cab Silverado 5.3L. It has almost 49000 miles on it. For the last few weeks I have been getting a squealing noise that would come and go while driving. It was noticeable when lightly applying the brakes and while just cruising but would always disappear while the brakes were being pressed hard. So, I figured the brakes were worn and needed to be replaced. But, I also sometimes had a clunking/ticking noise when shifting into drive or into reverse. This noise would also be heard but at more of a ratcheting or rapid pace when applying the brakes and also when accelerating. So, I figured this would be U-joints? Today I decided to spend the day working to make these repairs. Pulled off the wheels, back pads and rotors were worn beyond belief and the fronts were really not all that bad as suspected but I had everything to replace them so I did all 4 sets of pads and rotors. Every wheel would spin after everything was in place and set to go and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Rotate the tires, put everything back in place and take it for a test drive. I immediately notice a grinding noise from the rear (from what I could tell the driver side which was a pain in the arse to get the old rotor off and required a great deal of pounding and bangin with a hammer). Figured it was a pad rubbing and nothing serious but I could in no way connect it with pressing on the brakes or letting off the brakes. Same noise and intensity regardless of whether I was on the brakes or not. So I figured it was the e-brake which was the reason I couldnt get the old rotor off. Did some experimenting stopping and driving in forward and revers with the e-brake on and still could not tie the noise to anything with the e-brake. Although I did get a click/tink noise when first putting it into reverse and getting on the gas in reverse(e-brake on and off) So my next guess would be wheel bearing? The noise did seem to intensify when turning and did seem to disappear/become less noticeable at higher speeds. At this point I was going insane after working on it all day and not figuring what this new problem was. Oh, and that clunking ratcheting noise that I got previously could not be recreated since the new brakes have been on. Which has only been about 2 hours and I haven't done any serious driving. Thanks to all for your time and let me know what everyone thinks.

[Schrade]

Kinda' hard to dissect all the info there Rob; can you do the cliff's version?

[99SilveradoRob]

Hahaha ummm.... changed out all the pads and rotors. There is now a grinding noise from the rear that doesnt seem to have anything to do with the pads rubbing the rotors and doesn't seem to have anything to do with the e-brake rubbing. Truck will roll from a stop on a very minor pitch without any trouble. How do I determine if it is the wheel bearing? I was only trying to be very descriptive to answer questions anyone might have in trying to help me out! And I was venting my frustration!

[Schrade]

Originally Posted by 99SilveradoRob

Hahaha ummm.... changed out all the pads and rotors. There is now a grinding noise from the rear that doesnt seem to have anything to do with the pads rubbing the rotors and doesn't seem to have anything to do with the e-brake rubbing. Truck will roll from a stop on a very minor pitch without any trouble. How do I determine if it is the wheel bearing? I was only trying to be very descriptive to answer questions anyone might have in trying to help me out! And I was venting my frustration!

"doesnt seem to have anything to do with the pads rubbing the rotors"

Seem? Gotta' know for sure there.

Get it in neutral, get one rear in the air, spin it, listen. Find out which wheel it is, then pull it, pull the pads, spin the rotor and see how it sounds.

[99SilveradoRob]

I guess i used the word seem cause I didn't want to completely rule that out. But I can say im 99% positive it isnt that. The sound and tone doesnt change in any way whatsoever regardless of how hard I hit the brakes or don't have the brakes applied. Plus it will roll in neutral from a dead stop on essentially level ground. But I will do what you suggested to reinspect everything. Narrow it down and maybe find something I overlooked.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by 99SilveradoRob

I guess i used the word seem cause I didn't want to completely rule that out. But I can say im 99% positive it isnt that. The sound and tone doesnt change in any way whatsoever regardless of how hard I hit the brakes or don't have the brakes applied. Plus it will roll in neutral from a dead stop on essentially level ground. But I will do what you suggested to reinspect everything. Narrow it down and maybe find something I overlooked.

with both wheels off the ground check the wheel bearings for lateral movement and push inwards and outwards for movement compare each side...I suspect that you may have damaged the bearing with the pounding for rotor removal....

In the future use a penitrating oil before you attempt to replace the rotors on a vehicle of this age...then after a few days start repairs...


when installing rotors use antiseize paste to prevent this from recurring...


If the bearing is bad this is a good time to replace both bearings and seals as well as the rusted backing plates...